Approaches presented herein enable maneuvering collaborative robots to rescue persons in a hydrological disaster. A plurality of robots are dispersed in a body of water to spread out and seek victims using cooperative foraging techniques within resource constraints. A location of victims located by a robot using sensing techniques is communicated to other robots. A situational assessment is performed using victim location information to determine a number of robots to deploy to the location. The deployed robots are directed to perform coordinated maneuvers to create a connected floatation unit to support floatation of victims for rescue.
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2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the robot is a soft robot and includes an expandable body segment, a plurality of sensor components, and a fixed body segment.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the expandable body segment is embedded with a plurality of electromagnetic grains.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein creating a connected floatation unit includes connecting a first soft robot and a second soft robot by selectively actuating the plurality of electromagnetic grains on an expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the electromagnetic grains of an expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
This invention relates to soft robotics, specifically a method for creating a connected floatation unit by linking two soft robots using electromagnetic grains. The technology addresses challenges in forming adaptable, modular robotic structures that can dynamically reconfigure for tasks like underwater or buoyancy-based applications. The method involves selectively actuating electromagnetic grains embedded in expandable body segments of two soft robots to establish a connection. The grains are magnetically activated to align and bond the segments, forming a stable yet flexible joint. This approach enables the robots to attach and detach as needed, allowing for reconfigurable assemblies. The expandable body segments provide flexibility, while the electromagnetic grains ensure precise and controllable connections. The invention is particularly useful in environments where traditional rigid robotic joints are impractical, such as underwater exploration or soft robotic systems requiring dynamic reconfiguration. The method leverages soft materials and electromagnetic control to achieve modularity without compromising structural integrity.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein connecting the first soft robot and second soft robot includes performing a sliding maneuver to alter a connection length between the expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein a person among the plurality of persons is detected by assessing sensor data collected from at least one sensor component among the plurality of sensor components.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for detecting individuals within a monitored environment using sensor data. The method addresses the challenge of accurately identifying and tracking persons in dynamic settings where multiple individuals may be present, ensuring reliable detection even in varying conditions. The method involves collecting sensor data from a plurality of sensor components, which may include cameras, motion detectors, or other sensing devices. The system processes this data to detect the presence of a person among a group of individuals. Detection is achieved by analyzing the sensor data to identify characteristics or patterns indicative of a person, such as movement, thermal signatures, or visual features. The method may also incorporate additional steps, such as determining the location or activity of the detected person, to enhance situational awareness. The invention improves upon prior systems by leveraging multiple sensor inputs to improve detection accuracy and robustness. By cross-referencing data from different sensors, the method reduces false positives and ensures reliable identification in environments with varying lighting, occlusion, or other interfering factors. This approach is particularly useful in security, surveillance, or automated monitoring applications where precise person detection is critical. The system may further integrate with other components to provide real-time alerts or automated responses based on the detected presence of individuals.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising directing all of the deployed robots to create the connected floatation unit.
9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the robot is a soft robot and includes an expandable body segment, a plurality of sensor components, and a fixed body segment.
This invention relates to a computer system for controlling a soft robot designed for navigation and interaction in dynamic environments. The soft robot includes an expandable body segment that can change shape or volume to adapt to obstacles or terrain, a fixed body segment that maintains structural stability, and multiple sensor components for environmental perception. The expandable segment allows the robot to navigate confined spaces or uneven surfaces by adjusting its form, while the fixed segment ensures rigidity where needed. The sensor components provide real-time data on surroundings, enabling autonomous decision-making. The computer system processes sensor inputs to control the robot's movements, ensuring safe and efficient operation. This design addresses challenges in traditional rigid robots, which lack adaptability in unstructured environments. The soft robot's compliance and sensory feedback enhance its ability to perform tasks in complex or hazardous conditions, such as search-and-rescue operations or industrial inspections. The system integrates the robot's mechanical flexibility with computational control to improve navigation and interaction capabilities.
10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the expandable body segment is embedded with a plurality of electromagnetic grains.
The invention relates to a computer system designed to enhance data processing or storage efficiency, particularly in systems requiring dynamic structural adjustments. The system includes an expandable body segment that can change its physical dimensions in response to operational demands, such as thermal expansion or mechanical stress. This segment is embedded with a plurality of electromagnetic grains, which are small particles capable of generating or responding to electromagnetic fields. These grains may facilitate functions such as data storage, signal transmission, or structural reinforcement by interacting with external or internal electromagnetic fields. The expandable nature of the segment allows the system to adapt its configuration dynamically, improving performance under varying conditions. The electromagnetic grains may also enable additional functionalities like wireless communication, energy harvesting, or real-time monitoring of the system's structural integrity. The overall design aims to optimize the system's adaptability and efficiency in data-intensive or physically demanding environments.
11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein creating a connected floatation unit includes connecting a first soft robot and a second soft robot by selectively actuating the plurality of electromagnetic grains on an expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the electromagnetic grains of an expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein connecting the first soft robot and second soft robot includes performing a sliding maneuver to alter a connection length between the expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein a person among the plurality of persons is detected by assessing sensor data collected from at least one sensor component among the plurality of sensor components.
14. The computer system of claim 8, the instructions further causing the system to direct all of the deployed robots to create the connected floatation unit.
This invention relates to a computer-controlled system for coordinating multiple robots to construct a connected floatation unit. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently assembling large-scale floating structures, such as platforms or barriers, in aquatic environments where manual construction is impractical. The computer system directs deployed robots to work collaboratively, ensuring the floatation unit is assembled with proper connectivity and stability. The robots may use modular components or materials to form the structure, with the computer system managing their movements, positioning, and assembly tasks. The system may also monitor environmental conditions, such as water currents or wind, to optimize the assembly process. The floatation unit could serve purposes like marine debris containment, offshore infrastructure support, or emergency response platforms. The invention improves upon prior methods by automating the construction process, reducing human labor, and enhancing precision in assembling large floating structures.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the robot is a soft robot and includes an expandable body segment, a plurality of sensor components, and a fixed body segment.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the expandable body segment is embedded with a plurality of electromagnetic grains.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein creating a connected floatation unit includes connecting a first soft robot and a second soft robot by selectively actuating the plurality of electromagnetic grains on an expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the electromagnetic grains of an expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein connecting the first soft robot and second soft robot includes performing a sliding maneuver to alter a connection length between the expandable body segment of the first soft robot and the expandable body segment of the second soft robot.
20. The computer program product of claim 15, the instructions that cause the at least one computer device to update further causing the at least one computer device to connect all of the deployed robots to create the connected floatation unit.
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January 22, 2019
November 22, 2022
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